FAQs

There are many reasons for seeking the help of a therapist. Therapists can help a person with self-exploration, personal growth or provide aids and support in dealing with unexpected live events. When coping skills are overcome by guilt, doubt, anxiety, fear, or despair, therapy and counseling can help.

People seeking psychotherapy are motivated to take responsibility for their actions, work towards self-change and increase personal awareness.

What can I anticipate in a counseling session?

During sessions you are able to talk about concerns and issues in your life. A session lasts approximately 50 minutes, but some people request longer sessions. Initially weekly sessions are best. However, some people who are in crisis or severe distress need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes. At times, you may be asked to read a relevant book or keep a private journal outside of your counseling session. Therapy is often most effective when you are an active participant, both in and outside of the counseling room.

What are possible Therapy benefits?

Various benefits are available from actively participating in counseling. Often it is inherently helpful to just feel understood, accepted and heard. Therapy can offer a new perspective on a tough problem or direct you towards a possible solution. Many people find therapy to be a great tool in handling personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family apprehensions, and the stresses of everyday life. The benefits you attain from therapy are contingent on how well you use the process and apply what you learn.

Here are some examples of possible therapy gains: Increased personal insight, learning and improving interpersonal relationship skills, processing plus gaining a better understanding of the concerns that led you to seek therapy and developing new means to either resolve or make peace with them, discovering new skills to cope with stress and anxiety, managing strong emotions like anger or depression, refining communications skills, changing old behaviors patterns that led to feeling “stuck”, realizing new ways to solve problems, increasing self- confidence and many more.

Is therapy confidential and private?

Overall, the law safeguards the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a psychotherapist. Information is not released without written permission. However, there are some exceptions to this rule where a therapist and counselor is mandated or allowed to release certain information:

- Suspected child, dependent adult or elder abuse. Law mandates the therapist to report this to the appropriate authorities instantly.

- If a client threatens serious bodily harm to another person/s, the therapist and counselor is required to warn the intended victim/s and report to the police.

- The Patriot Act of 2001 requires therapists to provide information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

- If clients intend to harm themselves, I will make every effort to enlist their assistance in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further actions possibly without their permission that are provided to me by law, to warrant their safety.

- Non-payment of fees that results in using an outside collection agency for therapy payment.